Cubans had in Christmas Eve their most popular feast for over four centuries of colonial rule and during the so-called Republic. In the early times of the colonization the Indians followed their creeds. Then, the African slaves stuck to their rites and venerated their deities (Orishas), which they disguised as catholic saints. So in that way they were able to keep their cults alive. From that mix of cultures, religious syncretism evolved and today it is very much extended. Catholicism was the official and the only religion allowed to be practiced in the Spanish colony. In late 19th century the influence of the United States grew. Evangelical churches made their appearance. All that exerted an influence on the Cuban people who was not totally Catholic observant and many consciously followed other religious banners. However, their Catholic roots left a strong mark in their habits and customs. That’s why Christmas Eve remained as a people’s feast. It was, as a matter of fact, a family reunion for the whole society. The broiled pork is the main course of the feast menu. It comes accompanied with rice and black beans, green salad, bunuelos, fruits and almond paste. Red wine leads the drinks and there’s also sweet wine for the ladies who so want it. After desserts, strong black coffee is served and the smokers light up their cigars.

Santo Domingo The must relevant feast is the 24th of December when Christmas eve is celebrated all the family is gathered together to supper at eight o´clock. After the supper some people go to the Christmas eve mass. Only pig and fries and not shellfish.¨Toast pig¨ at the supper of 24th of December and roast turkey at 31st of December. The Christmas cake is made up with dried fruit, but at the dessert, people eat fruits like apples, grapes, peans with ¨gomas¨ o ¨masmelos¨rum and eggnog. Also the famous of Alicante Nougat. Christmas Eve gifts are celebrated in which a group of friends sungand play with a guitar some popular Christmas carols though the most characteristic ones are the merengues. There are a lot of Kiosks to drink at the dike of Santo Domingo and there is a great feast. Hotels organise dancing feasts with orchestra.

Venezuela At the Andean states feasts begin with the Inmaculada feast the night of 7th of December. Creche scenes are placed from the 15 th of December and Christmas masses and Christmas gifts begin which normally are sing with choruses of children till after the Maggiday. One of the most folkloric manifestations is the music of the state of Zulia, so called “la Gaita”, which consist of a dancing music with influences of salsa and merengue. It is custom in this epoque to repair houses, painting and redecorating them. In a lot of houses there are Christmas trees and in schools living Creches scenes. From the 20th of December midnight masses begin till Christmas. In the night of Christmas Eve arrives the child Jesus, with presents for the kids and the night of 5th of January the Maggiday who give gifts to goods kids. For the night of 31st of December it is built up a manikin dessed with old ropes and wadded with petards, to explote them”.

Antillas Holandesas Christmas time is based on small traditions, some are native and some adopted from other countries. Creche scenes are very common in churches and houses. Other very important element is the music. The “Gaita” is a rapid song with merenge rhythim whereas “aguinaldo” (“Christmas gift”) is similar to Christmas carols. Christmas in Aruba and Curacao house in the lights their most significant element. The 31st of December is a very special day, before the New Year arrives, all the family goes out of home and practices different rituals, fireworks are used to disipate bad spirits. When the family goes into the house, the enter in order, the youngest throwing away coins by the corners of the house, the enter in order, the corners of the house and burning inceuse while prayers are said to bless all the family with health and happiness.

Brasil In Brazil Christmas time is the main religions and familiar event Brazilian kids believe Father Noel distributes presents to all families over the world at christmas night. Roast turky , dried fruit and candies are the principal nutriments of the supper at Christmas Eve. The most popular new year Eve supper in Brazil is the one celebrate in Rio de Janeiro where fireworks are exhibited. The ballrooms of the clubs are totally crowded by people who dance samba. The best place to observe the new year celebrations are the beaches. Hundreds of filhas do Santo, priestesses of african religions in white suits, hold a candle at Copacabana beach and throw up little boats to the sea with gifts to Lemanja, the queen of the sea .

Mexico Family and friends are joint to welcome the New Year. Nobody is sleeping till midnight the 31st of December to toast together to the New Year. It´s very frequent to send Christmas cards to the friends with the best desires for Christmas ans the New Year. The supper can be done before or later, according to the desires of the group, and it is similar to the supper at Christmas eve. It is custom to eat twelve grapes, one for each month, quickly, each one to the sound of each ringing of the bell. At twelve o´clock, besides eating the grapes, there is a general toust, with hogs and good desires. In many indigenous communities New Year hollidays is a very important day, because they have new civil and religious authorities and this is a motive of great ceremonies. It is very common the “cambio de varas” “Change of Wands” the wand is the symbol of power, which conrists on a very well polished stick, made of hard wood, with metal hilt, for the authorities is a silver hilt. In some areas of the region ¨the old is burnt, a manikin of rag with the stature of a man, with old clothes hat and a mask or coconut painted as a face. Wadding with olotes and rockets. During the lasta days of the year, “the old” sits outside home, where it stays till midnight of the 31st of December. It is planed a little basket nean him, for the alms during the night, kids and young people form groups to ask the New Year´s bift either in money, foods or candies. They buy more rockets and these rockets are watched over to celebrate the New Year. At twelve o´clock of the last day of the year “the old” is burnt out with a great uproar of rockets. In Oaxaca it is celebrated the feast of Our lady of Soledad.

Guatemala

Christmas hollidays begin from the 7th of december, “Devil Burning” day to drive away the bad spirits During the day people bring paper together to burn them out of the houses when the day begins to darker. The families begin to “set up” the nativity, and when the 24th at twuelve o´clock arrives Our chikd Lord is placed at this crib. The night of Christmas Eve people accustom at home burn fireworks and then the familiar supper is celebrated. The most typical food is the tamals done on the basis corn.